Will Rogers News

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, May 27, 2012 - Sunday, May 27, 2012.

Today we continue our extensive consideration of the best Tony Awards clips of all time, culled from over sixty years worth of shows, as we look ahead to the 2012 ceremony on June 10 by saluting a true triple-threat times two whose Tony-winning Best Musical, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, provided fodder for yesterday's selection - actor/director/choreographer Tommy Tune.

Today we are kicking off the 2012 InDepth InterView Tony Awards Series with the director/choreographer of the hottest hit of the 2011-2012 theatrical season, NEWSIES, that was recently awarded with a boatload of Tony Award nominations, in addition to a short-running show that has a very vocal group of advocates and supporters that also received a handful of Tony noms, BONNIE & CLYDE - the passionate and visionary Jeff Calhoun. Discussing all aspects of his mega-hit with Disney's NEWSIES and his success d'estime with Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE & CLYDE, as well as all about his years spent developing both, Calhoun illustrates his process and sheds some light on many aspects of the creation of the wildly different vehicles, as well as his opinions on the theatrical environment of today. Additionally, Calhoun outlines his experiences working with NEWIES and BONNIE & CLYDE breakout stars Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes - both Tony nominees - as well as his many years spent as an associate choreographer for legendary Tony-winning master director Tommy Tune creating many remarkable musicals such as GRAND HOTEL and THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES. Plus, Calhoun conveys his infectious enthusiasm for his craft and discusses what drives him to create while also sharing his humbled appreciation for the recognition of both his new musicals this season by the Tony Award committee and reflecting on his vast multitude of experiences in the theatre so far in his career - everything from starring in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and MY ONE & ONLY on Broadway to choreographing THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES and BUSKER ALLEY with Tommy Tune and transitioning into directing/choreographing with the hit revivals of GREASE, BIG RIVER, PIPPIN, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (with Graciele Daniele), BELLS ARE RINGING, as well as GREY GARDENS and the rest. All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best!

Today we are tying together the 2012 Tony Awards Clip Countdown selection with BroadwayWorld's extensive and exclusive InDepth InterView Tony Awards Edition premiere entry spotlighting NEWSIES and BONNIE & CLYDE director/choreographer Jeff Calhoun by focusing on Calhoun's first major choreographic contributions showcased on a Broadway stage, as seen in the 1991 Tony Award-winning Best Musical helmed by multi-Tony-winner Tommy Tune, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES.

Today we are kicking off the 2012 InDepth InterView Tony Awards Series with the director/choreographer of the hottest hit of the 2011-2012 theatrical season, NEWSIES, that was recently awarded with a boatload of Tony Award nominations, in addition to a short-running show that has a very vocal group of advocates and supporters that also received a handful of Tony noms, BONNIE & CLYDE - the passionate and visionary Jeff Calhoun. Discussing all aspects of his mega-hit with Disney's NEWSIES and his success d'estime with Frank Wildhorn's BONNIE & CLYDE, as well as all about his years spent developing both, Calhoun illustrates his process and sheds some light on many aspects of the creation of the wildly different vehicles, as well as his opinions on the theatrical environment of today. Additionally, Calhoun outlines his experiences working with NEWIES and BONNIE & CLYDE breakout stars Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes - both Tony nominees - as well as his many years spent as an associate choreographer for legendary Tony-winning master director Tommy Tune creating many remarkable musicals such as GRAND HOTEL and THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES. Plus, Calhoun conveys his infectious enthusiasm for his craft and discusses what drives him to create while also sharing his humbled appreciation for the recognition of both his new musicals this season by the Tony Award committee and reflecting on his vast multitude of experiences in the theatre so far in his career - everything from starring in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and MY ONE & ONLY on Broadway to choreographing THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES and BUSKER ALLEY with Tommy Tune and transitioning into directing/choreographing with the hit revivals of GREASE, BIG RIVER, PIPPIN, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (with Graciele Daniele), BELLS ARE RINGING, as well as GREY GARDENS and the rest. All of that and much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best!

Tony Award winner Cady Huffman will play the roles of Ms. Pratt, Clarissa and Mrs. Bamberg in Prospect Theater Company's upcoming new production of Cole Porter's NYMPH ERRANT, featuring the original 1933 Porter score and a revised book by Rob Urbinati. Performances begin July 7 at the Clurman Theatre at Theatre Row.

Recently, La Jolla Playhouse's world premiere of HANDS ON A HARDBODY, starring Tony Award-nominees Keith Carradine, Hunter Foster and Mary GorDon Murray, previewed their songs in a rehearsal hall, and the production team talked about the show.

Gallery Theater is holding auditions for The Will Rogers Follies, June 10-13. With book by Peter Stone, music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and winner of Six Tony Awards, this production will be directed by Rich Pratt.

TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical, presented by Amas Musical Theatre, is set to play a limited Off-Broadway engagement at the SoHo Playhouse, June 12th through August 5th. Opening night is Wednesday, June 27th. Winner of 2010's Best Musical Award at FringeNYC, TRIASSIC PARQ is written by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Steve Wargo, with direction by Marshall Pailet, choreography by Kyle Mullins and musical direction by Zak Sandler. The cast of TRIASSIC PARQ features Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Brandon Espinoza, Wade McCollum, Claire Neumann, Lee Seymour, Shelley Thomas, and Alex Wyse. Check out a photo of the cast below!

You don't have to be an old folkie to appreciate the music and message in WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE & MUSIC OF WOODY GUTHRIE at the A.R.T.'s Loeb Drama Center in Harvard Square. Four talented musicians sketch the life and times that were the foundation of Guthrie's music and made him into an icon of the folk/protest culture. They are unamplified, but they put across Woody's message loud and clear.

Among the former Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre nominees and winners are Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway, Tony award winner Laura Benanti and 2011 Tony Award winner, Nikki M. James.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents Gypsy June 15 through July 1, 2012 at The Earl Smith Strand Theatre (117 N. Park Square, Marietta.) Tickets are available now at 404-377-9948 or www.AtlantaLyricTheatre.com.

HANDS-ON-A-HARDBODY-Opens-at-La-Jolla-Playhouse-20010101 La Jolla Playhouse's world premiere of Hands on a Hardbody, starring Tony Award-nominees Keith Carradine, Hunter Foster and Mary Gordon Murray, as well as Allison Case and more, opens tonight, May 12, and runs through June 17, 2012 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. The commissioned musical has a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, Creditors), lyrics by Amanda Green (High Fidelity), music by Trey Anastasio (lead singer of the popular band Phish) and Amanda Green, with direction by Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow) and musical staging by Benjamin Millepied (BLACK SWAN).

The Public Theater yesterday announced complete casting today for AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of the 50th Anniversary season of free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, AS YOU LIKE IT will begin previews on Tuesday, June 5 and continue for four weeks through Saturday, June 30, with an official press opening on Thursday, June 21. Check out photos of the cast in rehearsal below!

Cady Huffman, Tony Award winner for her performance as Ulla in The Producers, attended SILENCE! The Musical at PS122 this past Thursday, May 5th.

The Public Theater announced complete casting today for AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of the 50th Anniversary season of free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, AS YOU LIKE IT will begin previews on Tuesday, June 5 and continue for four weeks through Saturday, June 30, opening on Thursday, June 21.

Harbor Lights Theater Company (under the leadership of Artistic Director Tamara Jenkins) opened its third season with My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, with a nine-performance run that began May 4 with performances now through May 13 at Veterans Memorial Hall at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden (1000 Richmond Terrace) on Staten Island (just minutes from the Staten Island Ferry).

?TRIASSIC PARQ The Musical, the 2010 Best Musical winner at FringeNYC, launched its new website today, May 7. At TriassicParq.com, visitors will discover updated news about the show's upcoming Off-Broadway premiere, as well as fun, interactive features. There's a direct link to the TRIASSIC PARQ Facebook page and Twitter feed, as well as an opportunity to sign up for the show's exclusive newsletter.